The 20 worst A-Braves players: #14 Ernie Whitt

Guarantees always backfired when made by a member of the pre-’91 Braves. Chuck Tanner once promised a parade down Peachtree. When he was fired, maybe.

After he was acquired from the Blue Jays for assorted flotsam, Ernie Whitt told the local organ that Toronto GM Pat Gillick would regret the trade.

“They got caught up in my being 37 years old, ” claimed Whitt, who expects to catch 130 games (in 1990). “You don’t look at age; you look at production. I’m going to drive in 70 runs, hit my 15 home runs and hit .260. You can go to the bank on it.”

Good thing he was wrong about the 130 games. The 67 he appeared in were bad enough.

Whitt likewise fell short on his other predictions, finishing with a .172 BA, 2 HR and 10 RBI.

At least he was consistent.

(batting average)

HOME: .162

ROAD: .183

FIRST HALF: .169

SECOND HALF: .174

RISP: .134

BASES EMPTY: .183

Whitt saved his worst for two-out situations, finishing just above the Corky Miller line, at .103.

But he was a good backstop, right?

Not on Aug. 30.

(via the local organ)

Hardly a speed team, the Dodgers took a 4-2 lead on Kirk Gibson’s two-run homer and by working over catcher ErnieWhitt for a season-high five stolen bases, including two double steals, in the first four innings.

Whitt’s Braves career would be over two months later. After signing with the Orioles he guaranteed he’d hit at least .180.